The Health Care Alliance for Patient Safety is pleased to learn that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has notified Opternative that their online eye examination is in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Though APS supports the development of telehealth to offer better access to Americans, this action by the FDA further demonstrates that online applications cannot currently replace the benefit a patient receives from an in-person, comprehensive eye exam.

Our Alliance and member organizations – which include the American Optometric Association (AOA), Johnson & Johnson Vision, and CooperVision – will continue to advocate for policies that increase patient safety, promote access to quality health care and protect the doctor-patient relationship.

Read the full statement here.